Real talk about the city’s economy, federal buildings leases, and telework impacts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Yes, ban cars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Yes, ban cars

The fact that DC is filled with so many people like you has a lot to do with why it’s so screwed in the short-term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

You established yourself in a completely different time period and area. Sounds like you bought a SFH in NW, sent your kid to established quality NW elementaries, then perhaps on to Walls. That is completely different from families buying/renting downtown and sending their kids where, to Dunbar? While I disagree with PP’s premise that we need to focus on car commuters, the city clearly would need to do a LOT more to attract families downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

You established yourself in a completely different time period and area. Sounds like you bought a SFH in NW, sent your kid to established quality NW elementaries, then perhaps on to Walls. That is completely different from families buying/renting downtown and sending their kids where, to Dunbar? While I disagree with PP’s premise that we need to focus on car commuters, the city clearly would need to do a LOT more to attract families downtown.

One of the best charter schools in DC, BASIS, is downtown. The city’s first early learning center, Stevens, is also downtown. Repurposing vacant office buildings for schools can be done relatively easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

You are right. She has no vision and seems more beholden to her political ambitions and special interests from outside of the city than to the city’s voters. The city was on a good trajectory in 2014 and has since regressed. A good chunk of the reasons why are out of her control, but I can’t help but think how different the city would be now had David Catania won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

You are right. She has no vision and seems more beholden to her political ambitions and special interests from outside of the city than to the city’s voters. The city was on a good trajectory in 2014 and has since regressed. A good chunk of the reasons why are out of her control, but I can’t help but think how different the city would be now had David Catania won.

A major factor that doesn’t get discussed enough for while the city has declined is that he is an incompetent manager who has routinely selected incompetent people to run critical agencies. As result, the decades of hard work to improve the quality of services has declined and I don’t think she cares at all because she doesn’t take any criticism and no one holds her accountable. Can anyone name a city agency that has improved under her leadership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

I’m not sure I see the point. Your life is good therefore: everyone should/can be like you and nothing needs to change?

The question the city needs to solve for the short-term is how to convince people who have jobs in the suburbs to live in the city or how to convince people that WFH elsewhere to live in the city. How does your life example solve either of those problems?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

You established yourself in a completely different time period and area. Sounds like you bought a SFH in NW, sent your kid to established quality NW elementaries, then perhaps on to Walls. That is completely different from families buying/renting downtown and sending their kids where, to Dunbar? While I disagree with PP’s premise that we need to focus on car commuters, the city clearly would need to do a LOT more to attract families downtown.

Uh, School Without Walls is in Foggy Bottom, BASIS is downtown, and Banneker is in central Shaw. All are practically on top of metro lines. (Middle school is a different story...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

Will banning cars replace 25% of DCs economy? They should do that tomorrow.

Here's the thing. DC's messy morning and afternoon rush hour traffic jams are back to where they were pre-pandemic. The car commuters are back in full force. What's not back is the metro commuters.
If downtown office buildings are to be repurposed it needs to be predicated on mass transit. DC can't handle and doesn't need more cars.
But that said, she can't legally just wave a wand and will it so. Federal buildings are owned or leased by GSA. In many cases there are multi-year leases which would need to be bought out or renegotiated. In many cases, the buildings are not suitable as residences, and would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt. But it also begs the question, residences for who, and why? And who really benefits - the developers? By bet is that's who.
Do we really need more luxury housing? And what about dealing with crime so that people would actually want to live there? What about fixing DC schools so that families don't flee to the burbs after elementary school?

The Political article points to a number of impracticalities of transforming downtown into an area with 100,000 new residents, including where would the new schools be to accommodate all of these new residents.

In addition, due to the need to transition away from reliance on government jobs and towards private sector jobs, at least initially the city will need to promote itself as a haven for reverse-commuters. If the city makes it harder for people to commute out of the city in cars then that comparative advantage is gone. The Silver Line takes 1 hour from downtown to the Reston metro stop. Driving a reverse commute to that same metro stop takes 35 minutes. Then once you get to the metro stop, you still need to get to your office, wherever that may be.

The strategy is obvious. The dimwits in this city who also work from home, and there are a lot of them, are intent on preventing that from happening.

I live in DC, my office is downtown DC, but I telework most of the time. Same with my wife, whose office is in NW, but she also teleworks fulltime. Neither of us drove to work, I'd walk (2 miles), wife would take metro. Pre-pandemic, we both usually packed our lunches, and only go out for lunch or dinner on occasion, that really hasn't changed much pre-or-post pandemic. Our kid went to school in DC, also not a driver - now in college at GW, still doesn't need to drive. Car only gets used on weekends for outings, shopping, visiting friends and family. Car's been paid off for years but is in great shape with only 60k miles on it. Our home is almost paid off, from its 15-year mortgage. We have a big chunk of retirement savings and a healthy investment portfolio. Life is good - and we're not 1%ers - for combined household income we'd just barely be near the top 10% https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/. Can't say I feel like the dimwit seeing others sitting in rush-hour traffic road rage idiocy day in and day out.

You established yourself in a completely different time period and area. Sounds like you bought a SFH in NW, sent your kid to established quality NW elementaries, then perhaps on to Walls. That is completely different from families buying/renting downtown and sending their kids where, to Dunbar? While I disagree with PP’s premise that we need to focus on car commuters, the city clearly would need to do a LOT more to attract families downtown.

Uh, School Without Walls is in Foggy Bottom, BASIS is downtown, and Banneker is in central Shaw. All are practically on top of metro lines. (Middle school is a different story...)

Wooosh. You’ve missed the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The District of Columbia’s fiscal condition is facing serious headwinds and should be at the forefront of the agenda for the mayor and Council. It should concern everyone that neither the mayor nor the Council seem to be lending this issue the level of seriousness it deserves.

There is a predictable budget gap that will occur when the Federal stimulus funds run out and there has yet to be any evidence that there is any planning for this eventuality. In fact it seems like the opposite, as more and more spending programs are being introduced.

It is hard not to conclude that there is some denial afoot or at the worst, negligence. DC was presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity and it is hard not to come to the conclusion that they not only whiffed but backslided by wasting this significant Federal infusion. It’s a shame.

The mayor most definitely is paying attention to this:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/20/bowser-biden-federal-workers-washington-dc-00078677

The Council, meanwhile, has decided to add an annual $42 million to the budget for free buses, plus hundreds of millions of dollars for other frivolities, because they apparently think it's still 2012. But hey, maybe we can speed-camera our way out of the problem (note: if Maryland and Virginia residents don't have to pay those tickets, and DC residents only have to pay those tickets in certain circumstances, then no, we can't speed-camera our way out of the problem).

Did you read the article? It is well reported and balanced, but it literally points out that the mayor’s goal for 100,000 residents downtown is un-serious, calling it “far-fetched” and concludes that “banking on federal workers is probably not a long-term strategy” for the city.

My view is that the mayor needs to lead and so far she seems to be in as much denial as the Council. Making pie-in-the-sky proposals is not any more comforting than proposing and passing more and more entitlements that the mayor also signed off on.

The mayors failure to lead is also reflected in the article in urgency of the matter. It reports that the Federal government is a quarter of the workforce and a third of the office space representing at least a quarter of DC’s economy. It points out, that with low unemployment, liberal Federal government WFH policies allow it to be competitive. It points out that Bowser’s return to office proposal aligns her with Congressional Republicans and how it is inconsistent with her own WFH policies that only requires “frontline workers” to be in the office 3 days a week. It reiterates multiple times that Federal workers are hired to perform a specific job function and not serve as economic fodder for DC’s economy. It outlines the serious risks facing the city from the negative feedback loop caused by lower revenue from sales and CRE property taxes and how that can cascade to further population decline.

It’s clear that her economic development head understands all of this because much of it he is quoted as saying himself. It is not clear how much of this Bowser has truly come to grips with and the Council unfortunately is just moving forward unabated with their fingers in their ears singing la, la, la, la…

The mayor is the #1 reason why DC is in its predicament: she doesn't champion legislation that makes DC a nicer place to live or make it easier to get around without a car. She caters to suburbanites, people who don't even live here, and drivers who drive like maniacs and put resident lives at risk.

She is absolutely obsessed with constantly positioning herself to the right of the council, so she opposes legislation that would actually benefit DC residents with the free Metrobus trips that originate in DC.

She drags her feet on expanding the protected bike lane network and lets cops and drivers block the bus lanes, rendering them almost worthless. She installed a crappy part-time bus lane on 16th St. She is dragging her feet on Conn Ave.

She lets the churches block progress. Muriel Bowser is a clown and it's going to be another long four years under her.

You are right. She has no vision and seems more beholden to her political ambitions and special interests from outside of the city than to the city’s voters. The city was on a good trajectory in 2014 and has since regressed. A good chunk of the reasons why are out of her control, but I can’t help but think how different the city would be now had David Catania won.

A major factor that doesn’t get discussed enough for while the city has declined is that he is an incompetent manager who has routinely selected incompetent people to run critical agencies. As result, the decades of hard work to improve the quality of services has declined and I don’t think she cares at all because she doesn’t take any criticism and no one holds her accountable. Can anyone name a city agency that has improved under her leadership?

Yep. Her DCPS Chancellor appointments have been an unmitigated disaster. None of the other agencies I regularly interact with - DDOT, DPW, MPD - give me any confidence.

If there was one thing I wish Republicans in the House would force on DC it’s open primaries or single transferable vote. It’s debatable whether Bowser would have won this year without the help of Trayon to split the votes of those who wanted her out. It also makes it much easier for incumbent council members to split the vote.